Why Is Gut Health So Important?

Gut health is important because 80 percent of your immune system is in your gut and the highest amount of serotonin is in your gut as well. If your gut is not balanced your immune system as well as your hormones will not function properly, and you will become ill. Your gut is responsible for digesting and absorbing nutrients so it can fuel your body. Your gut is also responsible for getting rid of waste and toxins. If it is not able to do this properly your body can become ill with chronic fatigue, chronic illnesses, and inflammation. Therefore, people suffer from symptoms such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, joint pain, constipation, and brain fog. Your gut is your second brain so if your gut is not right your brain is having a hard time too. Other illnesses linked to an unhealthy gut are autoimmune disorders such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ulcerative Colitis, Hashimoto’s Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis to name a few. This is no joke. So, with all this information what do you do? What are you supposed to eat or take to have a healthy flora and fauna gut? Here are some wonderful things you can start to take to make sure your gut is up to snuff.
 

Gut Happy Foods

Your gut loves fermented foods, certain fibers (especially found in bananas) that the good bacteria in our gut love, polyphenols & fatty acids (found in olive oil), antibacterial and antifungal they keep the bad bacteria under wraps (found in garlic).
 
Some of the gut happy foods are: Yogurt, Kefir, Kimchi, Miso, Sauerkraut, Almonds, Olive Oil, Bananas, Brussel Sprouts, Garlic, Roquefort Cheese, Almonds, Ginger and Kombucha to name a few.
 
Here are some yummy recipes that you can enjoy and make your gut happy at the same time.
 

Miso Soup

Purchase the raw organic miso. There is yellow, red and white miso. The flavors vary. The red is the strongest, the yellow and white are more sweet and light. I love the red but sometimes I enjoy the sweetness of the white and yellow as well. Mix it up. Try them all!
 
What many people do not know is that you do not add the miso paste to the boiling water. This hurts the good properties in the Miso. Boil the water and then turn off the flame. Move the pan to another part of the stove. Add the miso paste and whisk until smooth. Traditional miso is drank not used with a spoon like other soups.
 
Tip: Drink as is or add add-in such as seaweed, sliced scallions, firm organic tofu, or mushrooms. Enjoy!
 

Yogurt Parfait with Banana, Berries, Almonds, and Wild Local Honey

Serves 1 Double. Triple for as many people as you are serving.
This is a simple and sweet dish. Have it for breakfast with some organic fruit or a mid-day snack or even a refreshing dessert. Look for local, raw, wild honey in your area. Local raw, honey is great for any allergies, and it is wonderful for healing with all its antimicrobial properties. Yummy! Also, make sure to get the full-fat, sugar free yogurt. I love the thick, creamy Greek yogurt.
 

• ½ cup full fat, sugar free yogurt

• 5-10 raw almonds

• 1 small banana sliced into small circles

• ¼ cup organic berries of your choice

• 1 tablespoon of raw local honey

 
Put all ingredients into a beautiful bowl or cup in this order: yogurt, banana slices, berries, almonds, drizzle the honey all over the top. Enjoy!

Kale Salad with Roquefort Cheese and Olive Oil

Serves 1 Double. Triple for as many people as you are serving.
 

• 1 cup of organic kale leaves (dinosaur kale otherwise known as Lacinato Kale is my fav.) Torn up into small pieces or thinly chopped Chiffonade style (thin strips)

• ¼ cup Roquefort Cheese

• 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• ½ clove of garlic minced

• ¼ fresh lemon squeezed

• Black Ground Pepper to taste

 
In a small bowl whisk olive oil, lemon, garlic and pepper until emulsified, fully incorporated. In another bowl add kale, pour the dressing over kale and toss toughly, add the roquefort cheese on top and serve. You can serve this salad with a wonderful sourdough bread. Sourdough bread is also fabulous for your gut!
 

Kimchi Tacos with Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Serves 2-4 depending on how hungry you are. Serve with a glass of your choice of Kombucha.
I love this meal! To add extra gut love use the almond flour tortillas for this recipe!!!!!
 

• 1 jar of kimchi

• 1 ripe avocado

• 1 package of almond tortillas

• 1 bag of fresh brussels sprouts

• extra virgin olive oil

• himalaya pink sea salt

• freshly ground pepper

 
Heat oven 400 degrees
 
Slice brussels sprouts into quarters, put into a bowl and drizzle generously with your olive oil, add salt and pepper, toss to full coat. Put onto a baking sheet and roast for 35-40 minutes or until tender enough to easily put a fork into the brussels sprouts.
 
Lay out 4 tortillas heat up slightly either in the oven or microwave. Spoon out Kimchi onto tortilla covering the entire middle, slice ¼ of the avocado on each tortilla, drizzle Sriracha Sauce on top. Serve tacos with a side of Brussel Sprouts.
 
Take care of your gut, take care of your mind, take care of you!
 
Love, Peace & Happiness!
Xx,
Kirsten Louise Cantley